Electronics Recycling Highlights Seminar Series at Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo

A new government-supported stewardship program to recycle old electronics (e-waste) will be among the featured seminar sessions at next month’s Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo (CWRE) that will focus on the latest issues and trends in waste, recycling and public works.

More than 2,500 attendees are expected to participate in the event, Nov. 28-29, at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. In its 10th year, CWRE is the only trade show in Canada serving the waste, recycling and public works markets.

As municipalities across Canada and around the globe seek ways to deal with recycling old electronics and gadgets – from computers and cell phones to televisions – electronics recycling or e-waste has become an issue that the industry, governments, corporations and consumers are closely following.

“With the increased growth of consumer electronics usage, recycling old devices safely and environmentally is a timely topic that many municipalities are grappling with,” said Arnie Gess, show manager for Messe Frankfurt.

e-Waste Presentation
Conference attendees will hear an update on a new e-waste stewardship program instituted this summer by British Columbia’s Ministry of the Environment, in partnership with Encorp Pacific, a federally incorporated not-for-profit, and the Electronics Stewardship Association of B.C. (ESABC).

Funded by an industry-set fee paid by consumers at the time of purchasing a new electronic device, the program collects and recycles computers, monitors, desktop printers and televisions. In its first year, the program expects to collect more than 10,000 metric tons of electronic waste.

Currently, 70 sites across the province accept a select list of obsolete electronics that are then dismantled. The plastics and metals are shipped to three B.C. recycling companies, which chemically reduce them and sell off the resulting product.

Malcolm E. Harvey of M.E. Harvey and Associates will review the impacts and future of the program in his SWANA-sponsored seminar entitled E-Waste Collection – Digital Dynamics and Product Stewardship.

Seminar and Special Events
In addition to the e-Waste presentation, another 18 seminar sessions and half a dozen special events are planned, sponsored by industry affiliates and presented by industry leaders, government officials and renowned experts covering a wide array of interests, policies, regulations, technologies and concerns.

“From e-Waste to innovative waste management and composting, we’ve designed this robust seminar program to be timely and relevant to our buyers from Canada, the United States, Pacific region and other parts of the globe,” Gess said.

For further information, please go to www.cwre.ca

Press Contact:
Arnie Gess
Messe Frankfurt, Inc.
877.534.7285
arnie.gess@cwre.ca